Heather's Historical Reader Salon

Welcome to my Salon, a place for readers of historical romance to relax, sip some tea and share their love of good books... So pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in! You might even win!!!

If you’re like me, you’re busy busy busy. I love to visit blogs, but it seems I never have
time to get by in a timely fashion…and never in time to win anything!
Well, no worries about that here. The Historical Reader
Salon will be open all month long and you can come by anytime during the month
to join the conversation and enter to win! No rush, no hurry…just a nice relaxing
visit (or three) at your leisure.
Each month, I’ll throw out a topic for discussion as well
as ways for you to win. We’ll keep the conversation going in the comments
section and just see how our Reader Salon grows. Hopefully it will develop into
a thriving community centered around what we all love—historical romance!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Happy September, my lovely Reader Salon patrons! Labor Day has come and gone, school has begun and the last waning days of a long and lovely summer are coming to an end.

What better way to start fall off than with fabulous historical romances? For the month of September, in celebration of her 20th book (yes, 20th!), I'll be featuring the works of Mia Marlowe here at Heather's Historical Reader Salon!

Today, just feast your eyes on her lovely covers (and a few excerpts). Then check back throughout the month for more detailed features of her books. At the end of the month, I'll be giving away FIVE of Mia's books (one each for 5 lucky winners!), so come back often!

And readers, if you've read any of Mia's work, please tell us all about it in the comments so that other Salon Patrons can see what YOU love about Mia...

Anthologies

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

For our first month at the Historical Reader Salon, I
thought we’d talk about The Keeper Shelf. We all have one… It may evolve and
change over the years—I know mine has—but there are those books we just can’t
let go of.

Not every book I’ve read from my favorite authors makes the
Shelf—just the ones that touch me so much I want to read them again and again
and again!

So this month, let’s share what’s on our Keeper Shelves and
why. At the end of the month, FIVE winners will win a book from MY keeper
shelves… (Enter through the Rafflecopter form, please! Can enter each day of
July)

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Welcome to day thirty-one
of March SWEET Madness—a month long party to celebrate the upcoming release of
my novel, SWEET
MADNESS, available April 2, 2013.

Well, it’s been a fun, fun month here at Heather’s
Historical Reader Salon. Thank you SO much for coming by and sharing in the
March Sweet Madness event!

I’d like to invite you
back tomorrow, where there will be details about the Spread the Madness campaign, a series of fun contests I'll have running in the month of April to celebrate the release of SWEET MADNESS! Plus, you'll learn all aboutHeather's Historical Reader Salon,and what I have in store for you when it officially "opens" May 1 right here. I won’t go into all of
the details now, as I want to get right to talking about Kate Noble’s books,
but I can tell you each month will feature one of your favorite authors, plus fun games and giveaways. You won’t want to miss it!

But now, for our last
featured author during March Sweet Madness, I chose Kate Noble. Kate is a
superb writer, and she so happens to have a new book coming out the same day as
SWEET MADNESS. Look for her book, LET IT BE, which was an RT Top Pick for
April!

In the meantime, I’ll
be giving away her last book, IF I FALL, to a lucky reader here.

More about the book:

Every great romance comes with a
risk...

After
a duke's betrayal, the resilient Sarah
Forrester reinvents herself as the Golden Lady: society's
leading light, the beautiful and witty life of the party. It's all a façade of
course-one that protects her from another intimate disloyalty. When her old
friend, Lieutenant Jackson
Fletcher, returns to London, he is determined to rediscover the
true and trusting Sarah he once knew. It'll take more than a kiss and a
promise. It might even call for an innocent and necessary deception.

Then
Jackson is enlisted to help capture the lead suspect in a murder— a man who
happens to be Sarah's most ardent suitor. Jack must continue the deception, and
weathering this newest and gravest betrayal will be Sarah's ultimate test. But
as Jack's passion for her grows, he must also reveal his own secrets. And as
the killer turns his attention to his pursuers, more than love and trust is put
at risk.

I am also giving away a copy of either my debut, SWEET ENEMY
or SWEET
DECEPTION (winner’s choice) EVERY DAY of March SWEET Madness! (you will
need to enter this contest separately every day for a new chance to win! OPEN
INTERNATIONALLY)

Sweet Enemy

Beakers and ball gowns don't mix, so when lady
chemist, Miss Liliana Claremont, goes undercover as a husband-hunter to
investigate Lord Geoffrey Wentworth, the earl whose family she suspects
murdered her father, romance isn't part of her formula. But it only takes one
kiss to start a reaction she can't control...

Lady criminologist, Miss Emma Wallingford, unknowingly finds
herself tangled up in the dangerous final mission of Lord Derick Aveline, a spy
who also happens to be her long-lost first love. But when deception, however
sweet, is the name of the game, no one can be trusted. And every love--and
every life--is at risk.

Ever since her husband’s sudden and tragic
death, Lady Penelope Bridgeman has committed herself to studying the maladies
of the mind, particularly treating traumatized soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars.
It is this expertise that brings the Marquess of Bromwich’s family to her door.

Gabriel Devereaux’s unexpected and
unpredictable episodes are unlike any Penelope has studied. The once proud
soldier has been left shaken and withdrawn, but she manages to build a fragile
trust between them. Strangely, Gabriel seems completely lucid when not in the
grips of his mania, and in the calm between bouts, she is surprised by how much
she is drawn to him.

Despite his own growing feelings, Gabriel knows
that he is fit for no one, and is determined to keep Penelope away from his
descent into madness. But even though she knows firsthand the folly of loving a
broken man, Penelope cannot stop herself from trying to save him, no matter the
cost.Read the Prologue and First Chapter HERE...

Please do come back
in April to participate in the Spread the Madness contests to celebrate the release of SWEET MADNESS and to learn all about Heather's Historical Reader Salon, which will officially "open" May 1st!

And don’t forget,
giveaways are open for TWO weeks, so if you’ve missed any of the fabulous
authors featured, visit the archives section and enter!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Welcome to day thirty of
March SWEET Madness—a month long party to celebrate the upcoming release of my
novel, SWEET
MADNESS, available April 2, 2013.

One of my favorite authors, Lisa Kleypas, had this to say
about Valerie Bowman’s debut: “Secrets of A Wedding
Night is the most charming and clever debut
I’ve read in years! With her sparkling dialogue, vivid characters and
self-assured writing style, Valerie Bowman has instantly established herself as
a romance author with widespread appeal. This engaging and sweetly romantic
story is just too delightful to miss.”

So if you DID miss it, you’d better grab it quick, because her second
novel, SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE just came out last Tuesday, and it’s the book
I’m featuring today!

More about the book:

Miss
Annie Andrews is finally free to marry the man she loves. With her
overprotective sister out of the country on her honeymoon, nothing can prevent
her flight to Gretna Greene–nothing, that is, but an abduction by the wrong
gentleman.

When
Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne, promised to look after his best
friend’s sister-in-law, he didn’t realize she would prove so difficult. But
when he spirits her away to his country house to prevent her elopement, he
discovers that the tempting beauty knows how to put up a fight. To make matters
worse, he’s stuck playing the role of honorable protector…when what he really
wants is to run away with her himself.

Print

eBook

I am also giving away a copy of either my debut, SWEET ENEMY
or SWEET
DECEPTION (winner’s choice) EVERY DAY of March SWEET Madness! (you will
need to enter this contest separately every day for a new chance to win! OPEN
INTERNATIONALLY)

Sweet Enemy

Beakers and ball gowns don't mix, so when lady
chemist, Miss Liliana Claremont, goes undercover as a husband-hunter to
investigate Lord Geoffrey Wentworth, the earl whose family she suspects
murdered her father, romance isn't part of her formula. But it only takes one
kiss to start a reaction she can't control...

Lady criminologist, Miss Emma Wallingford, unknowingly finds
herself tangled up in the dangerous final mission of Lord Derick Aveline, a spy
who also happens to be her long-lost first love. But when deception, however
sweet, is the name of the game, no one can be trusted. And every love--and
every life--is at risk.

Ever since her husband’s sudden and tragic
death, Lady Penelope Bridgeman has committed herself to studying the maladies
of the mind, particularly treating traumatized soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars.
It is this expertise that brings the Marquess of Bromwich’s family to her door.

Gabriel Devereaux’s unexpected and
unpredictable episodes are unlike any Penelope has studied. The once proud
soldier has been left shaken and withdrawn, but she manages to build a fragile
trust between them. Strangely, Gabriel seems completely lucid when not in the
grips of his mania, and in the calm between bouts, she is surprised by how much
she is drawn to him.

Despite his own growing feelings, Gabriel knows
that he is fit for no one, and is determined to keep Penelope away from his
descent into madness. But even though she knows firsthand the folly of loving a
broken man, Penelope cannot stop herself from trying to save him, no matter the
cost.Read the Prologue and First Chapter HERE...

Friday, March 29, 2013

Welcome to day twenty-nine
of March SWEET Madness—a month long party to celebrate the upcoming release of
my novel, SWEET
MADNESS, available April 2, 2013.

I can’t believe the
month is almost over, and I hope you all have had as great of a time as I have!

Today’s featured
author, Sarah Maclean, blew me away with her adult romance debut, Nine Rules To Break When Romancing a Rake.
I still remember turning the pages breathlessly. I can’t tell you how much I
adored it.

When choosing which
book to feature, I decided to go with the first in her new series, however,
because…well, it rocks, too. And it has a really gorgeous cover! Plus, it was just this week nominated for the Romance Writers of America's RITA award. Congratulations Sarah!!!

More about the book:

What a scoundrel wants, a
scoundrel gets . . .

A
decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his
title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless
Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying
perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A
broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with
little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something
more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.

Bourne
may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched
by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and
her willingness to wager anything for them . . . even her heart.

I am also giving away a copy of either my debut, SWEET ENEMY
or SWEET
DECEPTION (winner’s choice) EVERY DAY of March SWEET Madness! (you will
need to enter this contest separately every day for a new chance to win! OPEN
INTERNATIONALLY)

Sweet Enemy

Beakers and ball gowns don't mix, so when lady
chemist, Miss Liliana Claremont, goes undercover as a husband-hunter to
investigate Lord Geoffrey Wentworth, the earl whose family she suspects
murdered her father, romance isn't part of her formula. But it only takes one
kiss to start a reaction she can't control...

Lady criminologist, Miss Emma Wallingford, unknowingly finds
herself tangled up in the dangerous final mission of Lord Derick Aveline, a spy
who also happens to be her long-lost first love. But when deception, however
sweet, is the name of the game, no one can be trusted. And every love--and
every life--is at risk.

Ever since her husband’s sudden and tragic
death, Lady Penelope Bridgeman has committed herself to studying the maladies
of the mind, particularly treating traumatized soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars.
It is this expertise that brings the Marquess of Bromwich’s family to her door.

Gabriel Devereaux’s unexpected and
unpredictable episodes are unlike any Penelope has studied. The once proud
soldier has been left shaken and withdrawn, but she manages to build a fragile
trust between them. Strangely, Gabriel seems completely lucid when not in the
grips of his mania, and in the calm between bouts, she is surprised by how much
she is drawn to him.

Despite his own growing feelings, Gabriel knows
that he is fit for no one, and is determined to keep Penelope away from his
descent into madness. But even though she knows firsthand the folly of loving a
broken man, Penelope cannot stop herself from trying to save him, no matter the
cost.Read the Prologue and First Chapter HERE...

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Welcome to day twenty-eight
of March SWEET Madness—a month long party to celebrate the upcoming release of
my novel, SWEET
MADNESS, available April 2, 2013.

Oh you guys… Today I am featuring one of my very, very, very
(did I say very?) favorite authors. Every single time I read one of her books,
there is a point where I have to stop and think, “Wow. That bit was perfect.” Her
writing has inspired me as much or more than any author’s out there.

When I discovered Sabrina Jeffries, oh so long ago, it was
one of those moments where you put down the book you just finished and
immediately rush to buy everything this author has ever written! Luckily, she’s
written a lot…which made it REALLY hard to pick which book to feature today.

In the end, I went with THE TRUTH ABOUT LORD STONEVILLE,
simply because it is the beginning of her last series, and you MUST start there
if you plan to read the Hellions of Halstead Hall series. They are all SO good! In fact, the last book in that series, A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS was just nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA Award! CONGRATULATIONS SABRINA!!!

More about the book:

They're the scandalous Sharpes, five hell-raising siblings tainted by a shocking family legacy. Now each faces a daunting ultimatum: marry by year's end—or kiss their inheritance good-bye.

In the two decades since a tragic "accident" took the lives of his parents, Oliver Sharpe, the Marquess of Stoneville, has survived the scandal surrounding that fateful night by living as an unrepentant rakehell. And with his grandmother vowing to disinherit him if he doesn't settle down and wed, he plans to fulfill the bargain in true Sharpe style—by bringing home a fake fiancée from a brothel! But his scheme is derailed when he rescues an American beauty in a dire predicament instead.

Maria Butterfield came to London to track down her groom-to-be, who's gone missing, but her engagement won't stop Oliver from getting what he wants: her, in his bed. His rebellious masquerade may call his grandmother's bluff, but it's soon made all too real—by a love that tempts him to be a hellion no more.

I am also giving away a copy of either my debut, SWEET ENEMY
or SWEET
DECEPTION (winner’s choice) EVERY DAY of March SWEET Madness! (you will
need to enter this contest separately every day for a new chance to win! OPEN
INTERNATIONALLY)

Sweet Enemy

Beakers and ball gowns don't mix, so when lady
chemist, Miss Liliana Claremont, goes undercover as a husband-hunter to
investigate Lord Geoffrey Wentworth, the earl whose family she suspects
murdered her father, romance isn't part of her formula. But it only takes one
kiss to start a reaction she can't control...

Lady criminologist, Miss Emma Wallingford, unknowingly finds
herself tangled up in the dangerous final mission of Lord Derick Aveline, a spy
who also happens to be her long-lost first love. But when deception, however
sweet, is the name of the game, no one can be trusted. And every love--and
every life--is at risk.

Ever since her husband’s sudden and tragic
death, Lady Penelope Bridgeman has committed herself to studying the maladies
of the mind, particularly treating traumatized soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars.
It is this expertise that brings the Marquess of Bromwich’s family to her door.

Gabriel Devereaux’s unexpected and
unpredictable episodes are unlike any Penelope has studied. The once proud
soldier has been left shaken and withdrawn, but she manages to build a fragile
trust between them. Strangely, Gabriel seems completely lucid when not in the
grips of his mania, and in the calm between bouts, she is surprised by how much
she is drawn to him.

Despite his own growing feelings, Gabriel knows
that he is fit for no one, and is determined to keep Penelope away from his
descent into madness. But even though she knows firsthand the folly of loving a
broken man, Penelope cannot stop herself from trying to save him, no matter the
cost.Read the Prologue and First Chapter HERE...

My Books

Find Heather

Love Historical Romance?

So do I! The fantastic news for all of us is that there are so many talented authors writing stories that will sweep us away. If you're like me, you are always on the lookout for "new" or "new to you" authors to try. Well, Heather's Historical Reader Salon is the place to be!

Each month, I will feature an author in the Salon and open up the comments for reader discussion of their work. Readers will be encouraged to give their thoughts so that other Salon patrons might discover and enjoy!

Featured authors will also be popping by throughout the month to engage in the discussions and play fun parlor games.

The best part? At the end of the month, I will give away 2 of that author's books to Salon Patrons! The more you participate, the more chances you have to win!!!

Welcome to the Reader Salon

In my ideal Salon, there would be bottomless pots of Yorkshire Gold and a neverending supply of Scones!